Application procedures and requirements for international applicants

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

English Proficiency

International students are expected to have a sufficient grasp of both written and spoken English to be able to do graduate level work.

International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and e-mail or fax their copy of the test results as soon as possible to the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs (E-mail: adgp.ls@ateneo.edu; Fax No.: [63-2] 426-5937). The original is mailed to:

Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs

Ateneo de Manila University – Loyola Schools

Ground Floor, Kostka Hall

Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

1108 Philippines

Test scores cannot be older than two years. The required minimum TOEFL scores for admission is 80 for Internet-based test (IBT).

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores may be accepted in lieu of TOEFL.

The Loyola Schools reserves the right to ask its international applicants for additional proof of academic competence.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

A. Applying from Abroad

1. The international applicant pays the application fee of US $40 in the form of a telegraphic transfer, net of the bank’s remittance charges.

A photocopy of the remittance slip is sent together with the application requirements listed in #3 below.

2. The applicant download, prints and fills out the Application and Recommendation Forms (see downloadable forms at the bottom of this page).

3. Each filled-out Application Form should be accompanied by:

- One (1) photocopy of the filled-out Application Form

- Four (4) 2” x 2” ID pictures

- Two (2) copies of the Personal Essay

- Three (3) duly accomplished Recommendation Forms

- TOEFL/IELTS results and one (1) photocopy

- Two (2) photocopies of authenticated* official transcript of records for the bachelor’s degree with the official grading system and its English translation, bearing the original signature of the registrar and the school seal.

- In case the applicant obtained said bachelor’s degree in less than four (4) school years, two (2) photocopies of the Certificate of Degree Equivalency issued by the Ministry of Education in the applicant’s country to determine the applicant’s earned degree.

- If the application is for Ph.D. studies, two (2) photocopies of authenticated* official transcript of records of graduate studies with the official grading system and its English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and school seal.

- Two (2) photocopies of authenticated* certificate of graduation or certified true copy of diploma for the bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, and their English translation.

4. To allow sufficient time to process applications for a student visa, the international applicant is urged to submit the application documents to the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs before the following dates:

January 30 for the Intersession (June to July term)

March 31 if the applicant wishes to enroll for the First Semester (August to December term)

July 15 for the Second Semester (January to May term)

5. The international applicant is required to take the Ateneo entrance examinations. He/she is scheduled for testing after filing the application. The applicant coordinates with the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs to arrange for the schedule of the Ateneo entrance examinations. The exam will be administered by the Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. Center for Psychology Services (Bulatao Center) at the Loyola Heights campus. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) results may be submitted in lieu of the Ateneo entrance examinations together with the complete set of admission requirements.

6. The international applicant may be interviewed by the Department Chair that offers the graduate degree program. The interview (which may be done by phone) is scheduled after the international applicant has filed the application papers and taken the entrance tests.

7. Admission notices are issued by the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Students are normally admitted on a probationary/provisional status.

8. The accepted international applicant must submit/present the documents indicated on the admission notice at least two weeks before the start of registration for the semester or Intersession term to the Office of the Registrar located at Ground Floor, Social Sciences Building.

Credentials filed in support of the application and credentials submitted for registration become the property of the Ateneo de Manila University and will not be returned to the international applicant/student.

9. Registration forms for all international students are issued by the Office of the Registrar.

B. Applying in the Philippines

1. The international applicant obtains an Application Form at the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and pays the application fee for international applicants of US $40 or its Philippines peso equivalent.

Alternatively, the applicant may download, print and fill out the Application and Recommendation Forms from the Ateneo de Manila website at www.ateneo.edu/ls/graduate-programs and pay the application fee when filing the application.

2. Each filled-out Application Form should be accompanied by:

- One (1) photocopy of the filled-out Application Form

- Four (4) 2” x 2” ID pictures

- Two (2) copies of the Personal Essay

- Three (3) filled-out Recommendation Forms

- TOEFL/IELTS results and one (1) photocopy

- Two (2) photocopies of authenticated* official transcript of records for the bachelor’s degree with the official grading system and in its English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and school seal.

- If the application is for Ph.D. studies, two (2) photocopies of authenticated* official transcript of records of graduate studies with the official grading system and its English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and school seal.

- Two (2) photocopies of authenticated* certificate of graduation or certified true copy of diploma for the bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, and their English translation.

- In case the applicant obtained said bachelor’s degree in less than four (4) school years, two (2) photocopies of the Certificate of Degree Equivalency issued by the Ministry of Education in the applicant’s country to determine the applicant’s earned degree.

MA/PhD Psychology Programs Research Statement Form (Download form at the bottom of this page)

Applicants for Department of Information Systems and Computer Science

PhD in Computer Science Research Statement Form (Download form at the bottom of this page)MS/M Innovations through Media Arts Technology dual degree program with Queen Mary University (Download checklist of requirements at the bottom of this page)

3. To allow sufficient time to process applications for a student visa, the international applicant is urged to submit the application documents to the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs before the following dates:

March 1 for the Intersession (June to July term)

April 15 if the applicant wishes to enroll for the First Semester (August to December term)

September 15 for the Second Semester (January to May term)

4. The international applicant is required to take the Ateneo entrance examinations. He/she is scheduled for testing after filing the application. The exam will be administered by the Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. Center for Psychology Services (Bulatao Center) at the Loyola Heights campus.

5. The international applicant may be interviewed by the Department Chair that offers the graduate degree program. The interview is scheduled after the international applicant has filed the application papers and taken the entrance tests.

6. Admission notices are issued by the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Students are normally admitted on a probationary/provisional status.

7. The accepted international applicant must file the documents indicated in the admission notice at least two weeks before the start of registration for the semester or Intersession term to the Office of the Registrar located at the Ground Floor of the Social Sciences Building.

Credentials filed in support of the application and credentials submitted for registration become the property of the Ateneo de Manila University and will not be returned to the international applicant/student.

8. Registration forms for new international students are issued by the Office of the Registrar.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE FULFILLED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UPON ADMISSION

The international student must submit the following to the Office of the Registrar two weeks before the start of regular registration (if a student visa is needed, at least six weeks before the start of regular registration):

1. For those needing a student visa:

- Two original authenticated* transcript of records of both bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, with the official grading system and its English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and school seal

- Two original authenticate* certificate of graduation or certified true copy of diploma for both bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, and their English translation

- Duly notarized letter request from the applicant

- Two original copies of duly notarized General Application Form accomplished by the applicant (BI Form No. RADJR-2012-03)

- Quarantine Medical Examination and Original copy of Medical Certificate issued by the Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance or a government medical institution with competence to certify that the applicant is not afflicted with any dangerous, contagious or loathsome disease and is mentally fit.

- National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Clearance

- Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate

- Photocopy of photo, data and stamp of the latest arrival pages from the student’s passport

- Two original authenticated* transcript of records of both bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, with the official grading system and its English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and school seal.

- Two original authenticated* certificate of graduation or certified true copy of diploma for both bachelor’s degree and graduate degree, if any, and their English translation

Authentication must be done by the Philippine Foreign Service Post in the student’s country of origin or legal residence. The English translation has to be authenticated as well.

Authenticated copies must be submitted before enrollment following the deadline indicated in the admission notice. However, the international applicant is advised to start the process for authentication as soon as possible, even before the decision is given out, in order to meet the School Registrar’s deadlines for submission of required documents before registration.

No authentication is required for transcripts from Philippine schools.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Once admitted, international students are required to submit the following for registration:

a. For Philippine-born aliens and those with permanent resident status – an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) issued by the Bureau of Immigration

b. For international students coming from abroad – their passport, visa, ACR/I-Card valid for the semester/summer term of enrollment.

2. Holders of other visas valid for enrollment in the Philippines will have to submit the required admission documents to the Office of the Registrar at least two weeks before the start of registration.

3. An International Student’s Fee is charged, every enrollment, by the Loyola Schools in addition to the regular tuition and fees.

4. International students who wish to transfer to another school should present a letter citing the reason(s) for transfer to the Officer-in-Charge of the International Students Office of the CHED. Transfer credentials will be issued by the Loyola Schools upon receipt of the CHED clearance.

5. International students on student visas must register for courses to earn credit (and grades) and must carry full academic load.

6. International students who intend to temporarily leave the Philippines must apply for an Emigration Clearance Certificate and Special Return Certificate with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration if they wish to retain their student visas.